Speaker
Description
Transcranial static magnetic field stimulation (tSMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique with potential applications in glioblastoma (GB) management, particularly in mitigating tumour-induced neuronal hyperexcitability. However, the effects of tSMS-like static magnetic fields (SMF) on GB cells remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the biological responses of human GB cell lines (U87, p53 wild-type; U251, p53 mutant) exposed to moderate SMF (113.93 ± 6.595 mT and 12.567 ± 0.747 mT) for 3, 24, and 48 hours.
SMF exposure did not promote GB cell proliferation or induce apoptosis but suppressed mitochondrial activity in U87 cells at all time points, suggesting a potential role in metabolic regulation. Minimal cytotoxic effects were observed, with a slight increase in dead cells at 48 hours in U87 and U251 at higher SMF levels. No significant oxidative stress was detected in U87 cells, while U251 cells exhibited a transient increase in cytoplasmic oxidative stress. Morphological analysis revealed cell-type-dependent structural adaptations, with U87 cells showing progressive nuclear and cytoskeletal remodelling, while U251 cells exhibited only early (3-hour) responses. Chromatin structure was also affected, with U87 cells displaying variability in chromatin compaction and U251 cells showing increased condensation.
These findings suggest that tSMS-like SMF may influence GB metabolism, nuclear organisation, and cytoskeletal structure without promoting tumour growth, supporting its potential safety in clinical applications. Further research is needed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects and evaluate the translational relevance of tSMS in GB treatment.
